Grease separator



Nov. 218, 1939. G, 1 DEHN 2,181,263

GREASE ASEPARATOR Filed Feb. 16, i 56 Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED sTliTEs PATENT OFFICE 2,181,263 GREASE sEPARATo-R George J. Dehn, Chicago, Ill. Application February 16, 1937, :Serial No. 126,013

6 Claims.

efciently to separate the grease from the otherv constituents of the drainage in transit through the basin of the separator. In separators heretofore devised by me embodying control for tthe rate of ilo-w of drainage, as exemplied in Patent No. 2,003,140, the contro-l ldevice was locatedin vthe basin. This necessitated opening of the basin when'it became necessary to change the rate of ow. One feature of the present invention con- Sists in providing simple and efficient control means which is disposed outside of the basin where it will be readily accessible but only toI inspectors or workmen who are authorized to make adjustments. By providing this control device outside of the basin, it becomes possible to attach it to a separator which has been installed, to increase the available space for the retention of grease in the basin,y and to adjust the rate of flow without opening the separator basin.

A further object of the invention is to improve the separating efficiency of the separator and simplify the construction.

Other objects of the invention and the various advantages and characteristics of the present grease separator will be apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description.

The invention consists in the several novel features which are hereinafter set forth and are more particularly dened by claims at the-conclusion hereof.

In the drawing which accompanies and forms a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a. sectional perspective of a grease separator embodying the invention; c

45 Fig. 2 is a plan of the valve device for regulating or restricting the flow of the drainage to the basin of the separator; Fig. 2a is a vertical section of the device shown in Fig. 2; 1 y

Fig. 3 is a sectional View showing the container for the flow-restricting device, closed by a seal in lieu of by a lock, as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional View illustrating the manner of supporting the horizontalk baiiies from the vertical `bridge or partition in rthe basin; andv j Fig. 5 is a vertical section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

'Ihe separator which is shown in the drawing constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is adapted to separate grease from drainage and comprises a basin having an annular or cylindrical vertically extending wall II and an integral bottom I2. `The top of the body is normally closed by a removable cover, which comprises an outer ring-like section I3 which is removably secured by wing-nuts I6 and screws il Within a projecting iiange I5 and overa shoulder I5a on the upper portion of the vertically extending wall II of the basin, and an inner plate-section I4 which covers a hand hole in, and is supported by, the outer section I3, is fitted in a groove I8 and over a shoulder |811' in the central portion of the outer section I3, and is removably secured in place by four wingnuts I9 and screws 20 which are carried by the outer-section I3. A packing-ring I5lo is tted in a groove in shoulder' I5a and a packing-ring Ib is tted in a groove in shoulder I8 for sealing purposes. The inner section permits of ready access to, and removal of, the accumulation of grease or matter in the upper portion of the basin. The removal of the outer or rim-section I3 permits of the removal of the hereinafter described baiiies.

A reducing or iow retarding bushing 2| with a large outer or inlet end and a small inner or outlet end is fixed or cast in a tubular extension Ela which is located at one side of the basin and is formed as an integral part of the upper portion of the basin side wall II. This bushing embodies at its large end, that is, its outer or inlet end, an internal screw thread whereby it is connected to a horizontal pipe section 32. In addition it embodies at its small or inner end an internal screw thread whereby it is: connected to an inlet nipple 22 in the basin. The inner end of nipple 22 is screw threaded to an elbow 23 which is arranged so that one branch thereof extends downwards. A vertical pipe 24 is connected at its'upper end by a screw thread connection to the vertical branch or elbow 23 and serves to conduct the drainage to a point adjacent to the bottom I2 of the basin. At the opposite side of the basin a vertical discharge pipe 26 is provided. This pipe leads from a point adjacent to the basin bottom to an elbow 2l' and has `its upper end connected by a screw thread to one .branch of the elbow. The other branch of the elbow extends horizontally and is connected byk a nipple 28 to a reduced shoulder-v formed opening in a tubular extension 29. The latter is positioned diametrically opposite the extension 2Ia. It is formed as an integral part of the upper portion of the base and side Wall Il and is adapted to deliver the drainage after separation of the grease therefrom to a sewer by way of a pipe (not shown). By reason of the fact that the inner or inlet end of the bushing 2l and the shoulder-formed opening in the eX- tension 29 are of a reduced or restricted diameter the iiow of the drainage through the basin is retarded.

In grease-separators of this type, it has been found that the separating eiciency depends in great measure upon having the proper rate of iiow or the flow properly restricted While the drainage is in transit through the basin so the grease will coagulate and coalesce before it reaches pipe 26 for discharge from the basin. To permit the rate of flow to be regulated for this purpose, a valveis provided outside of the basin for checking or regulating the rate of flow of the drainage through the inlet nipple 22 and pipe 24. This device comprises a vertically extending container or casing 393 with a tubular horizontal inlet 3l adjacent its upper end to which the drain pipe is suitably. connected. The casing 30 is supported from the basin by the pipe-section 32 which, as previously pointed out, is threaded into the large outer end of the bushing 2l. It is also supported by an elbow 33 which is threaded to pipe-section 32, and a vertical pipe-section 34 which is threaded into the up-turn of elbow 33. The upper portion of pipe-section 3d is threaded into the bottom of the casing 3B. The valve for controlling the rate of flow of drainage to the separating basin comprises a rotatable valveplate 35 which is provided with segmental openings 36 and a cap 37 provided with corresponding segmental openings 38 adapted to register in whole or in part with openings 36 to regulate the rate of flow of drainage through the valve. Plate 35 is rotatably suspended from the top Aof cap 3l' by a stud 33 which is fixed in plate 35 and journaled in the top wall of cap 3l. A wing-nut 40 is provided whereby the valve-plate may be securel;7 clamped in its assigned position. The skirt of the cap 3l is screw-threaded to a vertical pipe-section lll which is vertically aligned with the pipe-section 34 and removably connected thereto by a screw-threaded coupling-sleeve 42 which permits the removal of the pipe-section I for cleaning purposes. The drainage from inlet 3i is delivered into the chamber t3 in the casing 33, passes through the openings 3G and 38 in valve-members 35 and 31, and thence through the vertical pipe-connection between the valve and the pipe-section 34. The upper end of the casing 30 has screw-threaded therein a tight cap or cover lift. A suitable lock 45 has a r-asp 45a adapted to extend through lugs 46, il which are integral with and project from casing 30 and cover Il@ respectively to prevent unauthorized access to the valve, so that the rate of flow of the drainage cannot be Varied except by those skilled in separation. The drainage entering the inlet 3i flows over the cap 3l and through registering openings 36 and 33, the rate of ow being determinedk by the registering areas of the openings. The chamber in casing 33 around the pipe-section 4l and coupling l2 serves as an initial separating chamber for heavy matter before the drainage passesv into the separating basin. A screw-plug d8 is provided in the bottom of casing 36 to permit the sediment or sludge in the casing to be drained therefrom. This eX- emplies a device which serves to control the rate of flow of the drainage to the basin of the greaseseparator and is located on the outside of the basin so that it is accessible for setting only by authorized persons. This makes it possible to apply the control to grease-separators already installed. It makes it possible to vary the rate of flow without opening the separator-basin. It effects a saving of separating space in the basin. In practice, it is important that the rate of ow be established by a skilled engineer or plumber and, for that purpose, the lock 45 is applied to the cover 44 of the valve-casing 3G. In Fig. 3 a seal '55a and a suitable loop of metal fl5b, which is threaded through the lugs 45, It?, serves as a preventive against tinkering with the control device by unauthorized persons in lieu of va lock. This control device regulates the inflow of drainage to the separating basin and the rate of flow therethrough. In some instances, the character of the grease is such that a lower rate of ilow is required than for others, and by adjusting the valve-plate 35, it becomes possible properly to restrict the flow for eiiicient separation of grease of different characters from the drainage.

To retard the flow of drainage through the basin and permit separation of the grease from the heavier matter or liquid, a vertical transverse partition 50 extends diametrically across the basin Il midway between the vertical inlet pipe 24 and the vertical outlet pipe 25. 'I'he lower corners of partition 50 are coniined between lugs 5l)a on the basin to position the partition in the basin. A vertical series of spaced horizontal baiiies 5| are supported from the partition 5E! at one side thereof and a complementary series of baiiies 52 are supported at the other side. Each of these baffles is provided with a pair of downwardly extending lugs or hooks 53, which lit in apertured ears 54 formed on the sides of partition 50 in order separately to support the horie zontal baliles from the partition. The partition is adapted to be lifted out of the basin and hook and ear connections 53, 54 serve to lift the horizontal bafes with the cross-wall or baile. Each baie can be separately removed from the partition when the latter is removed from the basin. Each of the horizontal baflies 5l, 52 is provided with an upstanding continuous marginal iiange or rim 56 which fits against the interior of the basin-wall and one side ofthe partition 5i?. The purpose of this flange is to cause the grease on the horizontal baflles to be retained thereon, while the baffle structure is lifted out of the basin for removal of the accumulated matter in cleaning the basin. In order to cause the drainage to traverse a sinuous path, the intermediate horizontal baffle 5i is provided with an opening El disposed at one side of pipe E4 through which the drainage passes and the uppermost baille 5I is provided with an oiset hole B2 at the opposite side of said pipe 2li. Similarly, the upper most baie 52 on the discharge side of the opening is provided with an opening 63, and the intermediate baille 52 is provided with an offset hole S4. In passing from one side of the partition 50 to the other, the drainage passes over the top of said partition. The upper end oi partition 5i) has short, horizontal, flow retarding baffles 555 projecting laterally therefrom. A handle 515 is fixed to upwardly extending lugs 5l on the partition 50 whereby the partition and the battles supported thereby can be lifted out of the basin.

When there is an accumulation of grease in the upper portion only of the basin, this can be readily removed when the inner cover-section I4 is released and removed from the outer cover-section I3. When it becomes necessary to remove the accumulation of material between the baffles, both cover-sections are removed and the nipples 22, 28 are unscrewed from the basin, whereupon the partition, kvertical pipes 24, 26, elbows 23, 2l, nipples 22 and 28 and all of the baiiles I, 52 can be lifted out of the basin with all of the accumulated matter thereon.

A vent-pipe 68 is connected to the outer section I3 of the basin-cover so as to prevent the separator from becoming air bound or being placed under pressure tending to force the accumulated grease separator from the basin. The inner cover-section I4 can be removed Without disconnecting the vent.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details set forth, since these may be modified within the scope of the appended claims, Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described the' invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: l

1. In a grease separator ofthe character described, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of drainage therethrough, means in the basin for separating grease from the drainage as the latter circulates or flows through the basin, a casing outside of and above the basin adapted to receive the drainage prior to ilow through the basin and embodying an inlet for the drainage and a removable cover for providing access to the interiorthereof, a pipe connection leading from the top portion of the casing interior through the casing to the basin inlet for conducting the drainage from the casing to said basin inlet, and a valve for varying the rate of flow of the drainage through the pipe connection mounted within the upper portion of the casing on the casing end of the pipe connection and accessible for regulating purposes upon removal ofthe cover.

2. In a grease separator of the character described, the combination of a basin provided With an inlet and an outlet for the circulation of drainage therethrough, means in the basin forr separating grease from the drainage as the latter circulates or flows through the basin, a casing outside of and above the basin adapted to receive the drainage prior to ow through the basin and embodying a laterally extending drainage inlet in the upper portion thereof and in addition a removable cover for providing access to the basin interior and a plug closed opening in its bottom whereby any grease or other matter accumulating within the casing interior may be removed, a pipe connection leading from the top portion of the casing interior through the` casing bottom to the basin inlet for conducting the drainage from the casing to the said basin inlet, and a valve for varying the rate of flow of the drainage through the pipe connection mounted within the upper portion of the casing on the casing end of the pipe connection and accessible for regulating purposes upon removal of the cover from said casing. y

3. In a grease separator, the combination of a basin provided at the top portion thereof with an inlet for drainage, a vertical partition extending across the lower portion of the basin, a downwardly extended pipe connected to receive the drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the partition, a plurality of horizontal baiiles at both sides of the partition fitting in the basin, and a vertical outlet conduit at the other side of the partition for conducting the drainage upwardly from said other side of the partition and through the baffles at said other side, the partition being removable from the basin and the horizontal baiiles being removable with the partition and provided with upstanding longitudinal anges for retaining matter thereon pending removal ofthe baflies from the basin.

4. In a grease separator, the combination of a cover closed basin provided with an inlet in the upper portion thereof for drainage, a vertical partition extending across the lower portion of the basin and mounted -so that it is readily removable from the basin upon removal of the latters cover, a downwardly extended pipe connected to receive the drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in. the basin at one side of the partition, horizontal baiiies at said one side of the partition, a plurality of horizontal baiiles between the other side of the partition and the basin, an outlet conduit at said other side of the partition, and rdetachable lug and hook connections between the horizontal bailles and the partion whereby the bales are connected to the partition for conjoint removal therewith and are adapted upon removal of the partition to be moved from the latter by raising them relatively thereto.

5. In a grease separator, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet at the upper portion thereof for drainage, a vertical partition extending across the lower portion of the basin, a downwardly extending pipe connected to receive the drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the partition, horizontal baffles at one side of the partition and fitting in the basin, a plurality of horizontal bailles between the other side of the partition and the basin, an outlet conduit at the other side-of the partition, and detachable lug and hook connections between the horizontal baffles and the partition, the partition being removably held in the basin and the bailles being provided with upstanding longitudinal anges for retaining matter thereon pending removal of the baffles from the basin.

6. In a grease separator, the combination of a basin provided with an inlet for drainage, a vertical partition extending across the lower portion of, and removable from, the basin, a downwardly vextending pipe connected to receive the drainage from said inlet and discharge it downwardly in the basin at one side of the partition, horizontal bales between both sides of the partition and the basin, an upwardly extending outlet conduit at the other side of the partition, and short baffles formed integrally with and extending laterally in opposite directions from the upper end of the partition and projecting suiliciently beyond the sides of the partition so that theyare positioned in overhanging relation with the inner portions` of the horizontal bafles.

GEORGE J. DEI-IN. 

